"Dr. Gupta is not only gifted with golden hands but also with with a golden heart. His miraculous job on modern medicine applies not only to the rich but also to the underprivileged. We are honored to award him with "Lifetime Achievement Award on Health and Philanthropy." said the founder and president of We Care for Humanity, Princess Maria Amor.

Dr. Ashok K. Gupta (popularly known as AKG in his circle), the Renowned Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon of the Country, has been recently conferred upon with the highest honour of “Padma Shri Award” by the “H.E. President of India”.

Padma Shri (also spelt Padma Shree and Padma Sri) is an award given by the Government of India generally to Indian citizens to recognize their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Social Service and public life. (The word "Padma" (Sanskrit) means "Lotus".) It stands fourth in the hierarchy of civilian awards after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

Dr. Ashok K. Gupta is a highly accomplished surgeon and teacher affiliated to few of the prestigious hospitals in the city like Grant Medical College, Mumbai, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Science and Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre. Having completed all his primary medical and surgical education from Government Medical College, Nagpur, and then affiliated to the Grant Medical College, Mumbai, he felt that he owed certain obligations to people of the State. To materialise his dream of social service, he began conducting free reconstructive surgeries for the underprivileged in the remote areas. Despite many odds, he continued to help the poor in backward areas in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Dr. Ashok K. Gupta also responded to the call on the nation and extended his highly specialized services to the victims of a number of natural and man-made calamities such as riots during the post Lok Sabha Election 1984, Babri Masjid related violent episodes 1992, the infamous Serial Mumbai Bomb Blasts 1993, heroes of Kargil War, victims of Bhuj Earth Quake, terrorist attack at Akshardham Temple at Gujarat, 2002, Serial Bomb Blasts in Mumbai 2003, Train Bomb Blasts in Mumbai 2006 and the recent Terrorists Attack / Siege of Mumbai on 26th November 2008.

Dr. Ashok Gupta has brought laurels to the country on the scientific fronts as well, being the founder member of the International professional organizations like World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation. He also holds Executive Offices at the “World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery”. He is also featured in the Book on “History of Microsurgery”.

He had also represented India for eight years as the “National Secretary for India” at the “International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”.

Dr. A. K. Gupta is grateful to his parents, wife, children and other members of family as well all his patients and members of their family, who had reposed faith in him and allowed him to undertake various complex procedures. They have matured into a group of friends and well wishers and without their understanding it would be impossible to achieve even part of this Herculean task as this one.

For many Dr. A. K. Gupta is the best example of medical miracle man with a golden heart and exceptionally gifted hand. He also has the unique opportunity to treat both “rich and famous to poor and downtrodden” at the same time.

Today, Dr. A. K. Gupta having received the highest recognition of “Padma Shri Award” by President of India is further committed to continue with the commitments with more vigour and vitality.